as in solving
to find an answer for through reasoning
a book of brainteasers that even a really clever person won't have an easy time figuring out
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Recent Examples of figuring out
The warmer months are spent planning the ski season, booking return trips to favorite mountains, and figuring out which resorts to explore next.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Of the many obstacles to overcome before any Artemis astronauts begin moonwalking, perhaps the most simple yet significant is figuring out what to wear.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Residents are still figuring out how the two groups should support each other.
—Samuel O’Neal 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Of the many obstacles to overcome before any Artemis astronauts begin moonwalking, perhaps the most simple yet significant is figuring out what to wear.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Residents are still figuring out how the two groups should support each other.
—Samuel O’Neal 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 2026
In an era when IP is king at the theatrical box office, particularly when it’s encroached upon by streaming, what’s the trick to figuring out if an original project can play to a mass audience or a Gen Z one?
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
The stats are solid — a franchise-record 3,942 passing yards, 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions — and the eye test shows someone figuring out how to do this job at the highest level.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
The story is very much a journey of discovery for Colin, Harry Melling’s character — figuring out the rules of this sub-dom relationship and what Ray is asking of him.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Some offer a full refund to passengers while others are still figuring out how the reduction in flights will impact them.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
While the benefits of T can be amazing, figuring out the side effects can also take trial and error.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for figuring out
Verb
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Tribes will also discuss underlying factors that cause obstacles in solving cases, according to the event’s news release.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Item one on Sabalenka’s 2026 agenda was solving the big final problem.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As a new Fortune magazine feature reveals, the gold hoarding reflects a belief on the part of Tether’s CEO that Western economies are unraveling and that his firm can be an anchor of stability in an unstable world.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Though obviously much of the show is staying under the dome, where the idyllic nature of its society is quickly unraveling.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The nerves that Landfair had been suppressing only show as the interview winds down, letting out a relieved and shaky breath after answering the last question.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
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There’s even an artist in residence program where hosted artists work on their pieces on property while answering questions from guests.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some rules that Boyce must follow over the next many months include having no visitors inside his room, not using any alcohol or drugs and working out frequently, with a goal of losing weight and building up strength.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump wants quick end to shutdown This time, the administration has signaled its interest in more quickly resolving the shutdown.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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This time, the administration has signaled its interest in more quickly resolving the shutdown.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Figuring out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/figuring%20out. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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